Parshat Metzora
Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer, M.D.
When I tell people that Parashat Metzora and Parashat Tazri·a, which we read last week, are among my favorite parashiyot, they often respond, "Well of course, you were a physician and they are filled with medical information." But if Tazri·a and Metzora are to be read as medical texts, there would be very little point in reading them at all. For one thing, the dominant subject of the texts is something called tzara'at and we really have no idea what that is. Though often translated as leprosy, modern scholarship is quite consistent that whatever the condition is, it is not what modern medicine knows as leprosy. More importantly, besides not knowing what the described condition really is or precisely what some of the specific terms mean, I would like to suggest that these chapters were never intended to be read as medical texts. There is no discussion of etiology; that all comes in commentaries which seetzara'at as a punishment for sin, typically the sin of slander or gossip (lashon ha-ra). Nor is there any mention of prevention or of treatment, which we would expect even in ancient times if this were in any way intended as a medical treatise. Rather, what we have is a manual that instructs the priests if, when, and how to perform purification rituals on the affected individuals after recovery.
The Kli Yakar, the 17th-century biblical commentator, interpreted these texts allegorically. He wrote that they are speaking about spiritual maladies and what kinds of transgressions would have led to the state of tum'ah (impurity) described in the Torah. But I believe even this metaphoric approach, with its attention to the details of physical conditions and the associated purification rituals, is missing the forest for the trees.
I believe there is something else going on here altogether. The narrative arc of Parashat Metzora moves from a discussion of the reentry ritual of persons following recovery from the skin afflictions of tzara'at, to tzara'at which affects the walls and contents of individuals' houses, to a discussion of genital discharges (zav/zavah) in men and women. It is a movement from more public manifestations to more private manifestations of these conditions. Lesions of the skin are apparent to anyone with whom the one afflicted comes into even the most superficial social contact. One's house is more private, shared with family and close friends. Tzara'at in the house or of the house can be hidden from the general public but not from those one holds more closely. Finally, genital discharges, the most private, are hidden from all but those with whom we are most intimate, and sometimes known only to the one affected. And yet all require some level of separation and some ritual for reentry into an intimate relationship, a domiciliary relationship, a social/public relationship.
Rabbi Leonard A. Sharzer, MD, is associate director for bioethics of the Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies, JTS
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for additional insights on this week's parsha and others, visit The JTS Torah Commentary archive: http://www.jtsa.edu
*************************** SPECIAL SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE WEEKEND: APRIL 11-12TH
B'nai Israel Synagogue is delighted and honored
to welcome
Professor Ralph Williams
April 11th and 12th.
Shabbat Schedule
Friday, April 11th
6 p.m. Services, Sanctuary
7 p.m. Dinner by advanced reservation only
Professor Williams will speak:
"The Transition from Slavery to Freedom"
There will be a supervised youth room from 7-9 p.m. for children ages 12 and under.
Saturday, April 12th
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
Professor Williams will speak in the sanctuary:
"We Each Came Out of Egypt".
There will be a supervised youth space from 1-2 p.m. for children ages 12 and under.
*dinner reservations MUST be received with payment in full by April 6th.
The community is welcome to attend.
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May Their Memories Be For a Blessing
April Yahrtzeits
4/1/2014 (1 Nisan)
Stuart E. Allen
4/2/2014 (2 Nisan)
Leonard Kershenbaum
4/5/2014 (5 Nisan)
Bennie Mirkin
4/6/2014 (6 Nisan)
Jonas Dworin
4/7/2014 (7 Nisan)
Harold Milton Ellias
4/9/2014 (9 Nisan)
Sam Leaderman
4/10/2014 (10 Nisan)
Jack Chitkin
4/11/2014 (11 Nisan)
Libby Rubinstein
Sidney Wechselfeld
4/14/2014 (14 Nisan)
Jolyn Freedman
Sadie Weiss
4/15/2014 (15 Nisan)
Mimi Schloss
4/17/2014 (17 Nisan)
Esther Manko
4/18/2014 (18 Nisan)
Goldie Chaner
Rose Kaye
Rose Kleinbard
4/19/2014 (19 Nisan)
Bluma Stark
4/22/2014 (22 Nisan)
Shmuel Muchkies
4/23/2014 (23 Nisan)
Julius Abramson
4/26/2014 (26 Nisan)
Ida (Huddle) Band
Lottie Kwiatek
4/28/2014 (28 Nisan)
Sara Garber
Morris Soloway
To make a donation to commemorate a yahrtzeit, please click here. If you are a member of the synagogue and a yahrtzeit for your loved one is not on the list, please contact the synagogue office so we can update our records.
Please click here if you wish to permanently memorialize a loved one by purchasing a yahrtzeit plaque.
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Shabbat Metzora
Friday, April 4th
6 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat/Maariv,
Chapel
9 a.m. Services, Sanctuary
Kiddush Lunch is sponsored by Udi, Gil, Alon, and Avi Kapen and their families in honor of Rachel Kapen's 75th birthday. 10 a.m. Supervised Youth activities, lower level 11 a.m. Shabbat Children's Workshop, lower level led by Michael Wolf
11 a.m. Teen D'var Torah Cocoa Cafe, Social Hall
There is a Shabbat Shiur in the chapel today prior to minha, led by Dr. Mitch Parker: "Is the Lego Movie Good for the Jews?" Prior viewing of the movie is not necessary.
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Click here to help with Kiddush Lunch
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*Kiddush Lunch is available through donations to the Kiddush Lunch Fund, the generosity of weekly sponsors, and volunteer efforts of our congregants and regular attendees. Please e-mail or call the synagogue office if you would like to sponsor a kiddush lunch. To sponsor as part of a "group," please e-mail Joanna Abramson or Mindy Shuback. You may also make a donation to the Kiddush Lunch Fund by clicking here.To sign up to help prepare Kiddush Lunch please use the "volunteer spot" button above.
To Jeremy and Rachel Baruch on the birth of their new son on March 28th. Mazel Tov to grandparents Murray and Linda Baruch, Bob and Tobie Levine, to uncle and aunt Adam Baruch and Sarah Baruch, and to great- grandparents Ann and Leonard Baruch.
TODAH RABBAH
To Roxane Newhouse for sponsoring minyan breakfast in honor of Brian's double chai anniversary of being cancer free. Wishing Brian continued good health.
PASSOVER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
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Community Opportunities
The Jews of Detroit:
Past, Present and Future, a symposium
McGregor Conference Center, Wayne State University
Upcoming TKA/BI Joint Opportunities
TKA/BI Women's Seder 
April 8th, 2014 6-9 p.m., TKA/BI Social Hall. Kosher Dairy. Please rsvp to tkasisterhood@hotmail.com
or call Connie Silver: 248-851-2149
Bookstock 2014
Sunday, April 27-Sunday, May 4th
Laurel Park Place, Livonia
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Upcoming Youth and Family Activities
Family Night at Minyan, one Sunday/month.
Bring your family to help make minyan at 5 p.m. and enjoy pizza dinner in the social hall following services. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 4/27, 6/1.
PESACH CAMP
APRIL 17TH AND 18th
Upcoming Shabbat Youth Activities
SHABBAT CHILDREN'S WORKSHOP DATES for youth ages 7-12. 30 minutes of tefilla and parsha fun.
11-11:45 a.m., ROOM 9
April 5th, MAY 3 (10:30 A.M.) JUNE 7 YOUTH SHABBAT
SHABBAT TEEN ACTIVITIES 
D'VAR TORAH COCOA CAFE
for ages 13-17,
April 5th, May 3rd. 11:00-11:45 a.m., Social Hall
Listen to the D'var Torah in the main sanctuary, then give your take over cocoa and cider. Kiddush lunch following, with Spirited singing and Birkat Hamazon led by teens. e-mail teens@bnaiisraelwb.org for more information. FUTURE DATES:
APRIL 5TH, MAY 3RD
To stay current on all youth and family activities, contact Ilana Glazier to join the B'nai Israel Families Facebook Group.
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SIYYUM, Erev Pesach
Monday Morning, April 14th
Attention first-borns and others!
Joel Goldstein will lead us in a Siyyum, the celebratory conclusionary study of a section of rabbinic text, to suspend the customary fasting requirements of Tzom Bechorot, the Fast of the First Born. Joel has just completed the Mishnaic Seder (order) of Tehorot.
First born traditionally fast from dawn on Erev Pesach until the seder begins, as a statement of thanksgiving to God for sparing the Israelite first born in the plague of the first born in Egypt.
We will enjoy a final hametz breakfast following the siyyum.
Adult Education
"Reflections on the Siddur," with Dr. Mitch Parker
Saturdays, 11-11:45 a.m.
April 12 and 26 May 10 and 24 June 7 and 21
Mitch will focus on Ashrei, Aleinu, the Kaddish, Adon Olam, Yigdal, Hallel and Birkat Hamazon.
Class meets in the lower level, Room 9.
SHABBAT CLASS with Dr. Mitch Parker:
SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH
12:45 P.M., CHAPEL prior to Minha
"A Hero named Emet: Is the Lego Movie Good for the Jews?"
Previously viewing the movie is not a requirement for the class.
Lunch and Learn Series
with Hillel Buechler, Ramah Fellow 
First Tuesday of every month
Next session: 12:15 p.m., April 8th.
Meet at Barnes and Noble on Orchard Lake Road Bring your own lunch. There is no charge to attend. Please e-mail Hillel Buechler if you plan to attend.
Shabbat Shiur Series
Shabbat Afternoons, last Saturday of the month following lunch and prior to minha. Shiur (class) will meet in the chapel. All our welcome. There is no charge to attend.
Want to brush up on your prayer skills, tropes or birkat hamazon? C lick here.
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Mazel Tov

APRIL BIRTHDAYS
3 Mitch Parker
3 Miry Serlin
4 Stephen Jacobson
5 Deborah Balkin
5 Michael Dorfman
6 Tillie Silverman
6 Dane Zeff
7 Arnold Berlin
8 Oscar Band
9 Nancy Kaufman
12 Brianna Dines
12 Arica Jacobson
13 Regina Meisler
13 Matthew Orel
15 Eli Eisman
15 Cheryl Litt
16 Jonathan Abramson
16 Jack Friedman
18 Karen Rosen
20 Cheryl Berlin
21 Rachel Kapen
21 Jeffrey Lupovitch
21 Cooper Myers
22 Marvin Finkelstein
24 Elianna Orel
26 Evan Chudnow
26 Marvin Kozlowski
27 Noel Lawson
27 Adam Weingarden
27 Shira Wolf
30 Charles Seigerman
30 Nathan Soverinsky
APRIL ANNIVERSARIES
If your birthday or anniversary information is not listed, please email the synagogue so we can update our records.
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Caring Community Information
Refuah Sh'leimah/Wishing a Speedy Recovery.
Please e-mail Michael Golob or call the synagogue: 248-432-2729 to add a name to our communal mishebeirach list.
Shiva assistance: To assist in providing a shiva meal for BI member families and/or if you are able to lead a shiva minyan, please e-mail the synagogue.
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B'nai Israel Synagogue is affiliated with USCJ, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
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